Avast Software CEO Vincent Steckler announces the completion of the acquisition of a majority stake in AVG Technologies.
In July, we announced our intention to acquire a majority stake in AVG Technologies. And today I am pleased to announce the completion of this process. From Monday, October 3, 2016, we will start working as a single company. I would like to warmly welcome the AVG team, their customers and partners. I would like to tell you a little about our plans for the next few months.
For nearly 30 years, AVG and Avast have grown side by side, providing great products for free to hundreds of millions of users around the world. Our similarity will allow the process of merging companies to proceed smoothly and without difficulties. At this stage, we will develop products under both brands.
What do we gain by acquiring AVG?
Now we provide unparalleled protection to our customers. This was made possible by expanding our base to more than 400 million users worldwide, of which 160 million are consumers of mobile security solutions. With an almost doubling of the user base, we have the world's most advanced online threat detection network. Our security technology is mostly in the cloud and based on an advanced machine learning network. Each of our end users plays the role of a kind of sensor for malicious files and activities. In case of detection of new suspicious files for us, they are sent to our cloud servers for careful consideration, and, if necessary, launch in a virtual machine, automatic machine analysis and other proprietary studies. Our artificial intelligence technology determines if an unknown file found is malicious. In case of a positive response, this information is transmitted to our server, and, further, more than 400 million users worldwide will be protected from this threat by receiving virus definition database updates almost immediately.
One person who receives this file protects everyone else. Thanks to each of you, we receive valuable information about current online threats and provide better protection for other users. Together with AVG, we prevent nearly a billion virus attacks, block more than 500 million malicious URLs and repel about 50 million phishing attacks per month, and process more than 9 million new executables every month, a quarter of which turn out to be malicious.
Combining technology and talent will make us stronger than ever before. You can worry less about online security. We have the opportunity to increase the number of special task forces that will monitor not only current new threats that pose a danger from mobile devices to elements of the Internet of Things, but also classic malware such as ransomware.
We are also working to develop our security capabilities by implementing the Intrusion Detection System (IDP), an online Process Monitoring technology that allows us to detect malicious elements before they can cause any harm to the user. Moreover, to these technologies we are adding AVG's advanced solution for detecting threats in external interfaces.
Through the deal, we are also expanding our ability to protect our mobile users. Mobile malware differs from computer viruses in that the infrastructure of iOS and Android is simpler and applications are sandboxed. However, while ransomware and social engineering methods are still causing problems for smartphone owners, there are more serious issues than the presence of malware. If you install the antivirus as a regular smartphone application, it can be easily uninstalled. Mobile antivirus becomes stronger if it is set to a deeper level, such as mobile operators. The AVG Location Lab product is tightly integrated with the four largest mobile operators in the US. This service prevents teenagers from texting while driving or during school hours, blocks access to prohibited sites, and protects their personal photos from theft. We will develop this technology and expand partnerships with mobile operators.
Moreover,Avastwill develop relationships with an impressive base of corporate clientsAVG and their resellersand partners allowing us to cover more businesses. We will merge the Avast and AVG product portfolios. This will give partners access to both product lines and more customers.
Security SolutionsAvastAndAVGremain the same for their users. After all, for one reason or another, some of you prefer one brand over another. The underlying antivirus engine will be stronger than ever for both groups of users. Overall, customers will benefit from more features as we integrate the best solutions from both programs. We plan to release our first joint antivirus at the beginning of next year.
In the end, we are increasing our geographic coverage as well. AVG has traditionally been strong in English-speaking countries, including the US and the UK, while Avast is popular in other markets. We are a leader in home user protection in Russia, France, Brazil, and much of Latin America and Europe. Together, we will strengthen our presence in the US, serving more than 58 million users in the country. The combination of both companies will make us stronger and more stable, allowing us to withstand various fluctuations in the economy.
Exciting developments lie ahead for Avast, and I'm excited to be part of this combined company, which, like never before, is able to provide online protection to people around the world.
legal information
Forward looking statements
This communication contains forward-looking information that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be considered to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “ plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “are confident that,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “ outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Avast and AVG operate; the uncertainty of regulatory approvals; AVG’s delisting from the New York Stock Exchange and suspension of AVG’s reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and to consummate the transactions and their plans described in this communication; and AVG’s performance and maintenance of important business relationships. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in AVG’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including AVG's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and neither Avast nor AVG assumes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of AVG. The solicitation and offer to purchase ordinary shares of AVG is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an Offer to Purchase, a related letter of transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, filed by Avast with the SEC on July 29 , 2016 (as subsequently amended, the “Tender Offer Statement”). AVG filed a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer with the SEC on July 29, 2016 (as subsequently amended, the “Solicitation/Recommendation Statement”). AVG shareholders are urged to read the Tender Offer Statement and Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as they may be amended from time to time, as well as any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, carefully and in their entirety because they will contain important information that AVG shareholders should consider before making any decision regarding tendering their securities. The Tender Offer Statement and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement are available for free at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by AVG will be available free of charge on AVG’s website at investors.avg.com.
10/25/2019, Fri, 09:06, Msk , Text: Roman Georgiev
Identified problems in free antiviruses provide attackers with the ability to load arbitrary DLL files. Operation, however, requires administrator privileges.
Wrong way
Serious vulnerabilities have been identified in the free antiviruses Avast, AVG and Avira, allowing an attacker to elevate their privileges in the system by downloading a malicious DLL file.
SafeBreach Labs experts found that all versions of Avast Antivirus and AVG Antivirus contain the same vulnerability, thanks to which a potential attacker can bypass all system protection, however, provided that the attacker already has administrative rights.
According to SafeBreach experts, the vulnerability allows loading an arbitrary, unsigned DLL into processes running as NTAuthority\System, that is, with the highest possible privileges. Even those processes that use Protected Process Light are vulnerable.
In particular, the process of the antivirus itself - AVGSvc.exe, which is maximally protected and has the highest (system) privileges, tries to load the wbemcomn.dll library at startup with the path C:\Windows\System32\wbem\wbemcomn.dll, although in reality this file is in the System32 directory itself, not in the wbem subdirectory.
While AVG Antivirus has a protection mechanism to prevent malicious DLLs from being written to its folders, this mechanism can be bypassed by writing the DLL to an insecure directory from which the application loads other components
Serious vulnerabilities identified in Avast, AVG and Avira antiviruses
The SafeBreach experts compiled an unsigned DLL from the original wbemcomn.dll and wrote the new file to C:\ProgramFiles\System32\. The antivirus loaded it with System level privileges.
The vulnerability affects all variants of Avast Antivirus and AVG Antivirus up to version 19.8. AVG is a subsidiary of Avast and both antiviruses use at least part of the same software code.
Validation Disadvantages
Another bug was found in Avira Antivirus 2019. It also allows you to bypass antivirus protection, at the same time providing malicious malicious code with a permanent presence in the system and privilege escalation: an unsigned DLL can be loaded into several processes launched from NTAuthority\System at once. But, as in the first case, administrative rights will be required.
As the experts found out, the Avira ServiceHost service is trying to load the DLL from the wrong source (more precisely, not from the correct directory). To exploit the vulnerability, it will be enough to “slip” the required DLL into this directory.
The same problem affects the Avira System Speedup, Avira Software Updater and Avira Optimizer Host processes.
According to experts, the source of the problem is the lack of proper verification of digital certificates (signatures) for some DLLs, in particular, the Wintrust.dll library. Validation does not occur because the WinVerifyTrust function should be responsible for it, but it is located in this library, and therefore cannot be launched yet. Thus, it becomes possible to load an arbitrary DLL instead of the desired file.
In addition, the antivirus does not (more precisely, due to the corrections made) did not provide adequate protection for the main directory in which the antivirus executable files are located.
"Users expect protection from antiviruses, not problems, even free ones," says Mikhail Zaitsev, Information Security Expert at SEC Consult Services. - On the other hand, antiviruses are not written by the gods, and mistakes happen to everyone. The question is how adequately the development is tested before its release. In this case, it seems that the necessary testing was done post factum by third-party researchers.
Free antivirus has been attracting the attention of users for many years. We tested two popular antivirus programs: AVG Free and Avast Free.
Many manufacturers offer free antivirus, but Avast! and AVG are the most popular. Which program is more efficient, has better features, and uses less system resources? We tested the latest versions of the programs in 2015 versions, evaluated the scanning capabilities, additional features, and also checked if unwanted adware is installed.
First of all, let's say where you can download Free and .
Many people often decide to purchase a paid application, like Antivirus, for example, because the free version is too annoying to have ads or a panel system that integrates with a web browser or other very useful applications.
Before we move on to the results of the duel, we remind you that both antiviruses are available for free download on the Internet, but at the same time, we must remember that they are intended for non-commercial personal use. There are tools that can, for example, be installed in a company. You should not use them at home if you are using the computer for business purposes.
Round 1. Scanning capabilities
Both Avast Free Antivirus 2015 and AVG AntiVirus 2015 offer several scan modes for free. The most popular is the quick scan, which is activated immediately after installation in both applications. Avast offers a full scan automatically - the system displays a message suggesting that you should restart your computer and perform a full scan. This is valuable advice and is intended for novice users, so it does not affect the more positive assessment of Avast antivirus.
Avast, in addition to quick and full scans, has other scan modes: virus scan, browser add-on scan, old software scan, network threat scan, and performance issue scan. A scan related to browser add-ons is called "Browser Cleanup" - the program suggests which add-ons can be removed, as they have a low reputation.
This is what the tab looks like showing outdated programs
Information about outdated programs is useful, although Avast is unable to check all applications and limits its offerings to only very popular tools such as web browsers and Adobe Flash Player. The GrimeFighter scanner is designed to optimize your computer by suggesting which applications are unnecessary and how to change system settings to speed up your computer. On the test computer, Avast found 14 problems in the system settings, but when you click the "Optimize PC" button, a message will appear to purchase a subscription. Without an annual subscription, you will not be able to improve the performance of your computer.
Network security in Avast Home is a useful and unusual feature in other programs, including Wi-Fi network protection.
Of the available scanners, Avast responsibly searches for network threats. Firstly, it works without having to pay additional fees, and secondly, it is practical, because it gives tips to secure a Wi-Fi network, helps you set up a router, or tells the user if there is access to the Internet. If, for example, you are using unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, or a relatively light security password, Avast will tell you how to change your settings to be more secure.
AVG AntiVirus, in addition to a complete and quick scan, also offers scanning of selected files and folders, anti-rootkit scanning, as well as the ability to schedule scans for a selected date and time.
It checks your system for registry errors, searches for "junk files" that take up disk space unnecessarily, fragmentation, and analysis of broken shortcuts to slow down disk speed. After scanning, you can click on "Fix it now", the program will redirect you to a website offering to buy AVG PC Tuneup!. If you decide to download it, then the first cleaning of the "garbage" is free, and further use of the program includes the purchase of a license. At AVG, we do not consider this a useful feature for network security scanning.
Tour results: Avast victory. While speeding up your computer with a scanner that is really just a clever promotion to buy GrimeFighter tools, Avast also offers a useful network security scanner that you won't find to be found in AVG's antivirus and therefore wins this round.
Round 2. Real-time protection
A modern antivirus should provide real-time protection and immediately block threats. Both antivirus programs tested offer this protection, and it's enabled by default when installed on the drive.
During the installation of the anti-virus program, you are offered to install other utilities for free. In the case of Avast, .
Applications allow you to set up real-time protection. For Avast antivirus, click the "Settings" button, go to "Active Protection" and then we get the option to configure system files, email and web pages. In the Avast example, you can choose to scan documents on opening, or scan the agent automatically when removable media is connected, or decide which files, compressed archives, Avast will try to decompress during the scan.
AVG has a similar ability to set up real-time protection. To go to the settings, click on the big "Computer" icon in the main window, and then under the "antivirus" icon, click on the small button for settings. There you will find, among other things, information about which files (extensions) AVG will scan or which links can be found in the system registry.
Tour results: draw.
Both antivirus programs not only provide real-time protection, but also contain a number of features that work independently of each other, offering the ability to change settings.
Round 3. Additional protection and bonuses
To fully provide protection, manufacturers offer the most suites of security tools - the Internet Security product, which includes antivirus and other tools. In the case of free antivirus software from AVG and Avast, you cannot expect complete protection.
AVG AntiVirus 2015 already displays a button in the main window that says "Free trial 30 days," suggesting that the user has downloaded and tested the PRO version, which includes a firewall, anti-spam features, secure data (encryption and file protection using a password), and other applications. Regardless, the free version offers several solutions within the core hardware and not just an antivirus program. In the case of AVG LinkScanner is a feature that provides protection against malicious websites, as well as a mail scanner that detects malicious email attachments.
Some of the features available in the free antivirus industry are clever advertisements - first run a scan aimed at catching bugs in the system, and then fix them and improve system performance, but after subscription (well, not bastard manufacturers?).
Avast Free Antivirus 2015 offers a feature SecureLine VPN, which allows you to hide browsing or enable data encryption. Unfortunately, SecureLine VPN requires the purchase of a subscription. With the additional tools that are available in the free version, you can only replace "remote support". This feature allows you to connect to the desktop of another person who is using Avast. Just like AVG, Avast protects against phishing.
Tour results: draw.
Both programs provide some interesting additional features, which, however, are available for a fee.
Assuming that users typically choose these apps mainly because they're free and don't want to pay for security, AVG and Avast's programs get similar results on this round.
Round 4. Results of independent tests
Free antivirus programs are often considered less effective at detecting threats than their paid counterparts. We have checked the latest analysis results from the independent organization AV-Test, which specializes in IT security and antivirus testing.
In the test for evaluating the effectiveness of protection in a higher place was Avast, with a score of 5/6, while AVG received a score much worse, amounting to 3/6. Avast's anti-malware check analysis was exactly 100 percent effective on 153 samples, and AVG's was 95 percent. However, in another test of more than 12,000 samples, Avast scored 99 percent and AVG scored 98 percent.
AVG PC Analyzer found dozens of errors on the test computer, but we couldn't fix them because you need to subscribe.
AV-Test also evaluates the effectiveness of how applications slow down the daily operation of your computer, as well as functionality - the impact of security on your computer (for example, the display of false alarms).
Result: victory for Avast. From the AV-Test analysis, which we consider quite reliable, Avast got much better results in detecting threats.
Round 5. Advertising and constant messages
Many free software installers are trying to "slip" other tools into the computer, ads that are absolutely unnecessary. If you're careless and don't read the messages on the screen, browser plug-ins or other programs are usually installed later (I wonder how they found their way to the computer).
We expected similar practices from manufacturers. Avast prompts you to install Google Chrome during installation (selected by default during installation after agreeing), while AVG gives you the choice of whether you want to install a free antivirus program or a demo version of Internet Security. In addition, AVG also offers the installation of AVG Web Tools TuneUp (selected by default).
If you read the displayed information carefully, you can avoid installing this tool, which you probably don't need. Most users, however, do not read such messages and click "Install" without hesitation.
By default, Avast has an active voice messaging feature - the first time you launch it, you hear "Welcome to the Avast software" - a female voice says, and then "scan has been completed." If you are annoyed by this type of sounds, turn them off in the settings.
Tour results: draw. Both programs, which are free apps, advertise the purchase of other tools, and do so during the installation process. However, attentive users can easily uninstall unnecessary add-ons.
Round 6. Resources used and work in the background
Of great importance, especially for older PCs, is the size of the system resources used by the program. We checked in Windows 8.1 how much memory is required by antivirus programs.
Avast launches three services that use a total of about 32.5 MB. For comparison, an average of seven active services use a total of about 54 MB. Considering how much memory other applications require today, for example, web browsers can use even a gigabyte of storage, antivirus uses a negligible amount.
When it comes to running in the background, annoying messages don't show up during testing.
It should be understood that even the free version of Avast offers the “Run in the background / Enable full screen mode” function, accessible from the system tray. If enabled, no messages will be displayed.
Tour results: Avast wins again. Not only does it use less MB of memory, but it also has easy available options to turn off messages, which is useful when playing games, for example.
Conclusion - the victory of Avast antivirus.
Over the years we have seen the development of free antivirus and it is obvious that the latest versions are much better. Avast Free Antivirus 2015 was the clear winner in a duel between two popular applications. First of all, it has the best results in the detection performance test, has a very useful network threat scanning function, and also uses less system resources.
Many security software developers release free antiviruses. Even ZAO Kaspersky Lab presented a free version - Kaspersky Free. How many basic functions are enough to prevent infection in real conditions - for example, when surfing the web? What do you pay for free cheese? Let's find out.
WARNING
All tests were performed for research purposes only. The necessary files have been downloaded from public resources. The developers of the tested antiviruses received automatic notifications about the scan results. The editors and the author are not responsible for any possible harm.Test Methodology
We provided the most identical conditions for all participants in the experiment. Using VirtualBox, a test system was created - a virtual machine with a clean Windows 7 OS in the "Maximum" edition with the first service pack and all updates. Then it was cloned three times and only one antivirus was installed in each of the clones. The analysis of changes and current activity was carried out by portable software (TCPView, Autoruns with the VirusTotal plugin via API, ProcessExplorer, Regshot, AVZ and other utilities from ).
Threat sources were sites from the Clean MX database that were marked as infected and/or potentially dangerous. Only active sites added in the last 24 hours were selected for the test. We visited them in turn through the IE browser and logged the results of antivirus operation (if any). During the test, the antivirus and firewall on the host system were disabled.
INFO
All tests were run at default settings. Any antivirus only reduces the likelihood of infection, but does not completely eliminate it. To increase security, you should use more aggressive settings and additional tools - a firewall, proactive protection tools, isolation of potentially dangerous code, anti-phishing, and others. In paid antiviruses, most of them are already integrated, but if you wish, you can make a similar set of free utilities yourself.Like any software, virtual machine managers also contain bugs. Using various vulnerabilities, malware can go beyond the test system and infect the main operating system. Be careful!
Kaspersky Free
The size of the distribution kit version 16.0.1.445 is 147.8 MB. After installation and updating, Kaspersky Free occupies 232 MB on the disk. It provides basic protection, which includes a virus scanner, a resident monitor, automatic updates, quarantine management and reporting tools. Additional features are marked as inactive - this is a kind of advertisement for the full version of KIS and KTS.
At the first start, a full-sized window appears on the main page of the antivirus with a registration offer. You can click on the inconspicuous gear button in the lower left corner and it will disappear. True, then a reminder of registration will constantly appear again in the form of pop-up messages. Additionally, on first launch, the Google Play store page opens in the browser by default, offering to install Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Protection Toolbar is built into the browser itself. It is impossible to refuse its integration at the installation stage - there are simply no settings in the installer. However, the toolbar can be deactivated using the browser itself.
In our test, Kaspersky Free did not miss a single real threat. Some malicious sites were blocked by the Microsoft SmartScreen filter, while access to others was blocked by the antivirus. Sometimes they worked at the same time.
However, the antivirus is not tough enough to prevent the user from “shooting himself in the foot”. If you select a potentially dangerous executable previously blocked by smartscreen in the list of downloads and force it to run, Kaspersky Free will allow you to do this with Buddhist indifference. It allows the installation of a program with an invalid digital signature, which 17 antiviruses of the VirusTotal online scanner swear at.
Moreover, Kaspersky itself recognizes it on VirusTotal as Downloader.Win32.Bundl.aq , but ignores it when checking locally with the free version. Even if this is not a virus, but a means of delivering a “combat load”, this does not make it any easier for the user.
Avira Free Antivirus 2016
Avira Free Antivirus also has limited functionality and rather annoyingly advertises the transition to a paid version. Advertisements for various Avira products are pouring in like a cornucopia even during installation by the web installer. That's probably why it was so damn long. Tired of watching the progress indicator, I managed to finish another article.
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There are dozens of ambitious projects on the specialized software market, but there are truly iconic and legendary developments among them. Today we'll talk about which antivirus is better: avira or avast, in the process of narration, we will give a comparative description of the two antiviruses, highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
is a popular security software, the first version of which appeared back in 1986. Since that time, the system has seen a host of updates, the consistent implementation of which gave the project its modern look. The Czech company is responsible for the creation of the program.
Avira- one of the oldest antiviruses in the world, developed before the advent of the Internet. The main target audience of the intellectual product is large companies and organizations that need reliable storage of corporate information. But time goes by, and the policy of developers has changed - now free distributions are available for home stationary platforms.
Comparison
In order to avoid suspicions of arbitrating one of the parties, we have developed our own evaluation criteria: appearance, protective qualities and system requirements. For ease of perception, we will divide the further narrative into several logical blocks.
Interface
Yes, here we can talk about some subjectivity of opinions, but there are several qualitative criteria for evaluating the appearance:
In this nomination, the victory is given to the Czech development team.
Virus Protection
The gap in security level between the systems is minimal, but Avira is considered to be slightly more reliable. Her opponent often sins with false positives, which is not much better than skipping malware.
We give an imaginary point to Avira.
Protection area
The functionality of the Czech antivirus:
Features of Avira Free Antivirus:
In this confrontation, the advantage remains with Avast.
In its normal state, Avira practically does not consume system resources, but everything changes dramatically when checking the current platform. She literally sucks everything she can.
Avast does not have a good appetite and uses 17 times less RAM than the opponent. The CPU load is also 6 times lower than Avira.
Drawing conclusions
What can be concluded - Avast wins by a small margin, as its developers show more attention to detail. The main advantages of the Czech project are high optimization and low system load.
